Croomia

Croomia is a genus of primitive angiosperm herbs in the Stemonaceae family, first described as a genus in 1840.^[2][3]

Croomia
Croomia heterosepala flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Pandanales
Family:	Stemonaceae
Genus:	Croomia Torr.
Synonyms[1]
Torreya H.B.Croom ex Meisn. 1843, illegitimate homonym, not Arn. 1838 (Taxaceae) nor Raf. 1818 (Lamiaceae) nor Raf. 1819 (Cyperaceae) nor Spreng. 1820 (Verbenaceae) nor A.A. Eaton 1829 (Loasaceae)

Taxonomy

Once included in its own family, Croomiaceae, Croomia has also previously been included in Dioscoreaceae.^[4]

Subdivision

About six species.^[1]

• Croomia heterosepala (Baker) Okuyama - Japan
• Croomia hyugaensis Kadota & Mas.Saito - Kyushu
• Croomia japonica Miq. - Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Chugoku, Kyushu
• Croomia kinoshitae Kadota - Shikoku
• Croomia pauciflora (Nutt.) Torr. - United States (FL GA AL LA)^[5]
• Croomia saitoana Kadota - Kyushu

Distribution and habitat

Croomia is native to China, Japan, and the southeastern United States.^[1] The plants grow in moist, shady woods. Their small flowers are borne beneath the leaves.^[6][7]